Thursday's Conference League predictions and free football tips: Chelsea's perfect start to continue with high-scoring success

Where to watch Thursday's Conference League matches

Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers
TNT Sports 1, 8pm Thursday

Hearts vs Petrocub
TNT Sports 2, 8pm Thursday

Celje vs The New Saints
TNT Sports 3, 8pm Thursday

Larne vs Gent
TNT Sports 4, 8pm Thursday

Guimaraes vs Fiorentina
TNT Sports 5, 8pm Thursday

Best bets

Chelsea to win & over 3.5 goals vs Shamrock Rovers
2pts 13-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Over 2.5 goals in Guimaraes vs Fiorentina
1pt Evs bet365

Thursday's Conference League predictions

Chelsea have strolled through the early stages of the Conference League, racking up 21 goals in five straight successes, and they are 1-18 to maintain their perfect start against Shamrock Rovers.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has used the Conference League as an opportunity to provide fringe players and exciting prospects valuable playing time but it has still been relatively easy work and they can win another high-scoring clash at Stamford Bridge.

Four of Chelsea’s five victories in this competition have produced four or more goals – their home matches have seen them outclass Gent 4-2 and swat aside Noah 8-0 – and this looks likely to follow the trend.

Shamrock Rovers deserve credit as they also remain unbeaten after five games with three wins and two draws, although this is evidently tougher than trips to Larne and Rapid Vienna.

Hearts are rooted to the foot of the Scottish Premiership and having also endured three Conference League defeats in a row, Neil Critchley’s side will be seeking some respite at home to Moldovan minnows Petrocub.

Petrocub have taken only one point from their opening five matches, so it looks a gilt-edged opportunity, but it would take a brave punter to take 3-10 about Hearts given their run of only two wins in 12.

Northern Ireland’s Larne have found life in the Conference League tough, having lost all of their five matches, and more misery will be expected to follow at home to Belgian side Gent.

The New Saints, are also in for a tricky test in Slovenia away at Celje, who have suffered defeat only twice in 15 home games this season.

But the pick of the matches may come when Guimaraes host Fiorentina, who are second and third in the league standings behind Chelsea after five rounds of fixtures.

Guimaraes remain unbeaten with four wins and a draw while Fiorentina have four victories and a defeat, and goals have been flowing freely for both.

Both teams have scored in all of the Portuguese side's European fixtures while La Viola have netted 17 times in five outings.

However, the Serie A visitors have also conceded in three of their last four Conference League clashes, which includes twice on away trips to St Gallen and Apoel, suggesting that it may be more entertaining than the prices suggest in Portugal.

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